Margaret Boone Rappaport, PhD, a cultural anthropologist and biologist with over five decades of interdisciplinary experience, has developed a framework that ties together human cognition, neuroscience and religious thinking. Her theory is that human biology naturally equips individuals with the capacity for religious thought and feeling. She explores this concept in her book, “The Emergence of Religion in Human Evolution.”
Marquis Who’s Who has recently included Dr. Rappaport, recognizing both her philosophy and significant theoretical contributions. This publication celebrates her contributions to cognitive evolution, neuroscience and space science. As co-founder of The Human Sentience Project LLC, she continues to advance research that bridges biology and technology, science and religion, and how the essence of human cognition might shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Human Cognition and AI: The Intersection of Biology and Technology
Dr. Rappaport has a strong educational background, earning degrees from George Washington University, the University of Florida and Ohio State University. Her professional career spans decades, including 15 years as a part-time professor of anthropology and sociology at Georgetown University and George Washington University.
As a cultural anthropologist and biologist, Dr. Rappaport’s work focuses on human cognition and neuroscience and centers on understanding how humans are biologically suited for religious thinking. She argues, “Humans are suited to be religious, but it’s non-obligatory. It’s like learning to read and write; you don’t have to use those skills, and you don’t have to use the capacity for religious thinking, but many people do.”
This insight into human biology informs Dr. Rappaport’s perspective on AI development, including particularly the ethical considerations of integrating morality and religiosity into AI systems. She emphasizes the importance of making AI systems as human-like as possible, suggesting that this could lead to more harmonious interactions between humans and AI.
Dr. Rappaport poses a critical inquiry: “If we can install the components of morality, culture and religiosity in AI, is it ethical not to do so? Or is it unethical not to?” This dilemma reflects the broader debate in the AI community about the responsibilities that come with technological advancements.
Dr. Rappaport believes that making AI more human-like could lead to beneficial outcomes, such as AI systems that can tell jokes or serve as companions. Her outlook on AI is influenced by her interdisciplinary background, which allows her to consider both the biological and cultural aspects of human cognition.
Dr. Rappaport’s work on her book, “The Emergence of Religion in Human Evolution,” published by Routledge in 2021, provides a foundation for understanding how religious thinking evolves biologically. This, in turn, informs her views on AI’s potential for religiosity.
Professional Achievements and Recognition
Dr. Rappaport’s inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who highlights her business leadership and contributions to her field. This recognition emphasizes her role at The Human Sentience Project LLC alongside the company’s other co-founder, Christopher Corbally, S.J. In this capacity, they have led research on human cognitive evolution, neuroscience, ecotheology and lunar and space sciences since 2013. Dr. Rappaport’s recognition by Marquis also reflects her dedication to interdisciplinary research and her ability to bridge seemingly disparate areas of study.
A true leader in her field, Dr. Rappaport’s professional journey is filled with significant achievements, including serving as president of Policy Research Methods Inc. from 1986 to 2006. She has published six books, including “Capital Crime: Black Infant Mortality in America,” published by Sage in 1989 and “The Emergence of Religion in Human Evolution,” published by Routledge in 2021. She was also the lead editor on “The Human Factor in the Settlement of the Moon,” published by Springer in 2021.
Various organizations have recognized Dr. Rappaport’s work with honors, including the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society, for women in education. She received a Praxis Award from the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists, which highlights her application of anthropology to practical problems.
In her pursuit of continuous learning, Dr. Rappaport also prepares for her upcoming book, “Off-World Ecotheology; The Roles of Religion in Space Settlement,” which will explore the intersection of theology and space exploration, further strengthening her position as a leader in her field.
Maintaining a Healthy Balance in Professional and Personal Life
Despite her broad professional career. Dr. Rappaport does not forget to balance professional dedication and personal life. She asserts that a personal life requires attention and care, regardless of one’s work ethic or professional focus. Relationships with friends, partners and loved ones require nurturing.
Dr. Rappaport mentions, “There is learning in silence. Sometimes, to truly understand, one needs to pause and slow down. This is crucial in my work on human cognition, neuroscience and religious thinking.”
Dr. Rappaport’s publications on the understanding of humans’ relationship with AI remain pivotal in discussions about the future of these disciplines. Her commitment to interdisciplinary research has allowed her to explore complex questions about the nature of religiosity, morality and cultural capacity in human and AI systems.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
